Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State is set to receive a distinguished award at the Nigeria Small and Medium Enterprises Summit and Awards (NigeriaSMEAwards) 2025.
This year’s event, marking the first time it will be held in Lagos, aims to recognize the critical role that both government and private sectors play in empowering SMEs.
The award, which has gained endorsement from the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), will bring together key stakeholders to honor those who have contributed to the growth and sustainability of businesses in this vital sector.
Governor Ododo, along with a select group of his fellow governors, will be acknowledged for their unwavering commitment to promoting entrepreneurship in their states. The Kogi State Governor, who has demonstrated a forward-thinking approach to supporting small businesses, will be recognized alongside Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State and Governor Abiodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State.
These leaders have implemented transformative policies that have allowed local businesses to thrive, despite the challenges posed by the Nigerian economy. Their efforts reflect a deep understanding of the importance of SMEs to both job creation and economic development.
The NigeriaSMEAwards is a highly anticipated event that will shine a spotlight on the contributions of Nigerian state governments in boosting the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Aside from the trio of governors mentioned above, other leaders such as Governors Dauda Lawal of Zamfara, Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto, Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi, and Uba Sani of Kaduna will also be recognized for their impactful leadership. These governors have created favorable environments for SMEs by enacting policies that facilitate access to finance, provide infrastructure support, and encourage innovation.
The convener of NigeriaSMEAwards 2025, Adedayo Olalekan, emphasized that the event’s focus on honoring state governments reflects the essential role they play in empowering local entrepreneurs. He noted that in the face of persistent economic challenges, it is the resilience and innovation of Nigerian entrepreneurs that continue to drive the economy forward.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with economic difficulties, the resilience of its entrepreneurs cannot be overstated. The NigeriaSMEAwards 2025 comes at a time when SMEs are facing mounting challenges such as access to capital, unstable infrastructure, and fluctuating markets.
However, the support from proactive state leadership, such as those of Ododo, Mbah, Oyebanji, and others, has been instrumental in creating an enabling environment that nurtures these businesses.
The recognition of these governors also serves as a reminder of the crucial role of leadership in fostering a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem. With Nigeria’s future tied to the success of its SMEs, the awards are an opportunity to celebrate the progress that has been made while also inspiring other state governments to invest in and support their local entrepreneurs.
